Sunday's Thought!

"A Meadow in Summer"

Photo by Dakota Roos on Unsplash

WOW! This week was another HOT heatwave! I love being outside in the hot weather so when I think it's hot. IT IS HOT!! Of course, this is the week to do all of my yard work which really should not be put off as I will regret that decision later. So, I plan my week to mow the yard in sections to keep from overdoing it and get heat exhaustion or heat stroke. I'm the kinda guy who wants to start a project, get it finished, and move on to the next one. However, with the heat, I shouldn't do that. 

Recently, I read a post online and have heard someone say, "it is hotter than, or is as hot as, hell out here!" That's not possible. Hades or hell will be hotter than any temperatures or heat waves we have had this summer. Not only that, there will be no afternoon rains or thunderstorms which cool off the temperatures just a bit. Nor will the water cool you off as it did me one evening when out in it. Nor will there be any water to drink. To say it will be hot is truly an understatement. 

When we have these heatwaves, some scientists and politicians fuss about climate change and it's all our fault that we are in this position. My thought isn't that. Though I remember plenty of heat waves throughout my life living in the south, it was something I always look forward to every summer in July and August, I have been wondering if God isn't using the extreme weather to get our attention? Is He allowing these to say, "lift up your head, your redemption draws neigh?" God loves us so much, He is doing everything he can to get our attention, to repent, come to Him, before it is too late. 

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word!

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

 

"The fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom, and

the knowledge of the Holy

One is insight."

- Proverbs 9:10

Sunday's Thought!

"Contemplation"
Photo by Christopher Sardegna on Unsplash

This week has been an upsetting one for me. I couldn't imagine being in a foreign country serving it and having to leave immediately or be left behind. On top of that, being uncertain whether I can get out in the midst of terrorists taking over. And, learning that the Christians in the country are a prime target. Or, maybe I should say are persons of interest, to say the least.

The first thought which comes to my mind is that a person has got to be ready to go on to meet God at any moment. We don't know when something will happen which will cause us to be hurt and possibly die. Our Lord tells us that we do not know the day or hour in which our lives will end and we will go to heaven or hell.

As with anything in life, we could find ourselves in a tragic car accident or the victim of a crime, or many other serious events which could cause us to die. If it happens to me, I'm ready. I became a Christian a long time ago and relax and rest assured that whatever happens, I know God is in control, I will be taken care of, and should I die, I will definitely go to heaven to be with Jesus. What more of a blessing could there be?!

To learn more about Jesus, God, and the Bible, a great place to learn is by visiting Peace With God!

Railroad Photography! "The Cat Watches the Rock Car Train at Harper's Ferry, WV"

 "The Cat Watches the Rock Car Train at Harper's Ferry, WV"
(C) 2021, Allen Pearson's Photography

I have traveled to Harper's Ferry, WV to visit the town and watch trains many times over the years of living in the Virginia area. It's a favorite place of history buffs and railfans, I fit into both of those interests. 

Each time I visited, I hoped to see a train crossing over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Bridge heading west and on the Winchester and Potomac Railroad Bridge which parallels the Footbridge to C & O Canal and Maryland Heights. This time, I was blessed with the opportunity to see trains going across both bridges.

My photography work can be found at Allen Pearson Photography. While I do not have an e-commerce website, products can be purchased by contacting me at allenpearsonphotography@gmail.com.

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

"I sought the Lord,

and He answered me

and delivered me from

all my fears."

- Psalm 34:4

Sunday's Thought!

 

"A Walk in the Woods"
(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

This week has been another one of those crazy busy weeks. I have moved to a new home about an hour south of where I grew up. The town where I lived was getting too urban for me and I'd always wanted to live in the country. So, my wife and I began the search for another home about a year and a half ago. The market is so hot here that houses are often sold without the buyer even looking at them. I couldn't do that for many reasons so it took a while.

The weather was so hot this past week that I had to get up at 6:00 a.m. to walk my dog before it became too hot for her to be out. While I was walking, I was enjoying our new neighborhood. It is a simple neighborhood with about sixteen houses on large lots of land so your neighbors are not right next door or on top of you as I had in my previous home.

My walk has taken on a whole new meaning for me. The roads are gravel, not paved and no sidewalks, with the neighbor's yards abutting the street with beautiful natural and man-created landscaping. I have escaped the suburban feel that I grew up in and got back to a nature walk like I had been yearning to do. I had forgotten how much I love a walk in nature since my last house didn't really have any place to walk in a wooded area.

As I walked, I couldn't help but notice the beauty in all the trees, weeds, leaves, insects, wildflowers, dirt, birds, a turtle, and even a few deer who fled when they saw my dog, Abby. In my mind, the intricate detail of all this nature didn't happen in some explosion like some would have you believe. Nor did it happen because of some other creation theory that denies that God did this. God created it all for us to enjoy in our lives. I couldn't help but think and sing to myself "Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus!" for this beautiful creation which you made and I can walk by every day with my dog and enjoy!

The God of this universe not only created the beautiful nature we all can enjoy, but He also created us and loves us beyond belief! To learn more about God, His Plan of Salvation for man, or if you just have questions about God and it all, please visit Peace With God!

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word!

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

"Blessed are those

who are persecuted for

righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven."

- Matthew 5:10

Sunday's Thought!

"Chuckanut Mountain Treed Path"

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Each week, I try to think about a story, something currently in the news, or about an experience I've had this week where God can help others or has helped me to share with you. When I share the story, I like to share the way that people can learn more about God, Jesus, the Bible, and God's Plan for Man, Salvation. Combining a real-life story and God's Blessings in the story has been an inspiration to me.

Some weeks, I have writer's block meaning I can't seem to come up with a story. So why do I write "Sunday's Thought?" It's because I have a heart for my friends, family, and those I don't even know who are not Christians. I don't want to see or know of anyone dying without having the opportunity to hear God's Plan of Salvation. Anyone who dies without knowing God will not go to heaven but to hell. I wouldn't want that for anyone... even the guy who is so annoying to me he drives me crazy.

However, I can't save someone so they go to heaven and spend eternity with Jesus. If I could, I definitely would. All I can do is share the Gospel and step aside to allow God to do the rest.

The decision is yours and yours alone. Do you wish to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus? If you would like to accept Christ's awesome gift to us, the Gift of Salvation- eternal life, please read and pray through the following-

Admit

Admit that you are a sinner, just like everyone else born into this world, until we  confess to Jesus Christ and ask His forgiveness:

"(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) and are justified 

by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," 

- Romans 3:23-24, ESV

"(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

- Romans 6:23, ESV

Believe

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ:

(16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him 

should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16, ESV 

Confess

Confess your sins in a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ:

(9) "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord 

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

 - Romans 10:9, ESV

(13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

 - Romans 10:13, ESV

Pray

"Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. 

I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation 

and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. 

Jesus, come into my life and take control, 

forgive my sins and save me. I place my trust in You alone

 for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life."

Amen

Now, you're a Christian - Welcome to the family.  So, what's next-

• Find a 100% Bible-believing, teaching, preaching church. Here are a few resources:
• Southern Baptist Convention
• Southern Baptist Conservatives
• Church of the Nazarene 
• Find believers (Christians) to fellowship with.
• Get baptized.
• Buy a Bible
• Read the Book of John.
• Get in a Bible Study.
• Daily: Pray and read the Bible
• Read a Daily Devotional.
• Billy Graham Daily Devotional
• In Touch Devotions by Dr. Charles Stanley.
• Dr. David Jeremiah
• PowerPoint Ministries by Jack Graham.
• Find a Mentor
• Learn how to Pray
• If you find yourself asking "Why am I not perfect" or "Why am I still doing wrong things?" Be sure to talk with your Pastor, a Christian friend, or a mentor.

If you would like to learn more, please visit Peace With God.

Wednesday's Words! Encouragement from God's Word!

 

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

"When peace like a river attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

'It is well, it is well with my soul.'

It is well with my soul;

it is well, it is well with my soul."

- Horatio Gates Spafford (1873)

Railroad Photography! "Coal Cars Rolling Through Harpers Ferry, WV," Art of the Freight Car, Rail Art Series

"Coal Cars Rolling Through Harpers Ferry, WV"

"Art of the Freight Car, Rail Art Series"

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

A visit to Harpers Ferry, WV provided me with some great opportunities to photograph several trains rolling through town. It's a beautiful town where you can walk around looking at shops, eating in a passenger train car, hiking in nature, or finding yourself a place to sit and read. 

Coal cars are one of my favorite railroad cars to watch roll by and photograph. I'm guessing it's because when I watched trains as a young kid, it was in West Virginia with a lot of coal, empties and full, were usually the trains rolling through town.  

"Coal Cars Rolling Through Harpers Ferry, WV," is my latest entry to my ongoing series "Art of the Freight Car, Rail Art Series." 

Please visit my photography website at Allen Pearson Photography. My work is available in various print and products, please inquire at allenpearsonphotography@gmail.com.

Sunday's Thought!

(C) 2021, Allen Pearson Photography

"Behold,

God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be

afraid; for the Lord is my

strength and my song, and he

has become my salvation."

- Isaiah 12:2

It seems every time my wife turns on the TV news, there is more bad news, sometimes even horrible news, which makes me concerned or even afraid of what's going on in this world. The violence, the hate, and the frightening video footage are enough to make someone run and hid in fear. 

However, I remind myself... sometimes repeatedly, as a Christian, I do not need to be afraid. I do not need to have a spirit of fear. I do not need to run and hide. Why? God tells us in the Scripture graphic above and others like these, to mention a few,  

"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; 

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

 - Isaiah 41:10 

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you,

 “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”  - Isaiah 41:13

 "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

- Matthew 10:31

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

- Proverbs 3:5-6

that He will take care of us. Scriptures instructing us to "Fear not" are mentioned 365 times in the Bible, one verse for each day you could say, so I think the point is well taken. The world can go the way that it does and is currently going but we do not need to worry or be in fear. As someone I know says more often than I can count, "God is in Control!" 

You can have the peace and comfort God provides to His Children, Christians, by visiting Peace With God.